Graduate Studies

The mission of graduate programs at
CaliforniaStateUniversity
,
Dominguez Hills is to promote advanced study, scholarly activity, and research.
Through traditional and nontraditional ways of learning, students earn master’s
degrees, advanced certificates, credentials, and life enrichment. Graduate
students make up a distinctive and highly valued segment of the university
community, and graduate programs support the dedication of
CaliforniaStateUniversity
, Dominguez
Hills in educating a student population of unprecedented diversity for
leadership roles in the twenty-first century.

Since the university expects graduate students to be firmly
on the path to genuine mastery of a discipline, to be intellectually and
professionally independent, and to be capable of making meaningful
contributions to their fields, graduate programs are designed for a level of
academic accomplishment substantially beyond that required for the
baccalaureate. The university is committed to the development of high quality
graduate curricula to meet student and community needs. Both the graduate
research competition and the prizes awarded annually for the outstanding
project and the outstanding thesis provide incentives for graduate work judged
superior.

Graduate programs enable students to contribute to the
advancement of their professions, to progress in their chosen careers, and to
assume positions of leadership. The various advanced courses of study offered
include programs with areas of specialization that allow graduates to enter the
work force at a professional level, in administrative positions and in
positions that directly serve various communities and populations. Available
master’s degrees qualify graduates to enter not only doctoral programs but also
programs for such professions as medicine and law.

All graduate programs are accredited by the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) located at
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
,
Alameda
,
CA
,
94501
.
Some individual programs are accredited by their discipline’s accrediting
association (see Accreditation and Approvals in the “The University - CSU
Dominguez Hills”section of this catalog).

The university’s admission, advising, and graduation
services support graduate and postbaccalaureate students and those who work with them. Most classes are scheduled at convenient
hours for working students, with many programs offering day and evening
classes. Some graduate programs are offered at sites off campus and through
distance learning. Financial assistance for graduate research is available
through the Office of Academic Programs. Information on financial aid for postbaccalaureate and graduate students may be obtained
from the Financial Aid Office.

Application Procedures

CSU Dominguez Hills welcomes applications from
students, without regard to age, marital status, religion, sexual preference,
sex, disability, race, color, or national origin who provide evidence of
suitable preparation for work at the graduate and postbaccalaureate level. Students are advised to contact the appropriate graduate program offices
as soon as graduate work is contemplated.

All graduate and postbaccalaureate applications (e.g. joint PhD and EdD applicants,
master’s degree applicants, those seeking educational credentials, and holders
of baccalaureate degrees interested in taking courses for personal or
professional growth) must file a complete graduate application as described in
the graduate and postbaccalaureate admission
materials at www.csumentor.edu. Applicants seeking a second bachelor’s degree
should submit the undergraduate application for admission. Applicants who
completed undergraduate degree requirements and graduated the preceding term
are also required to complete and submit an application and the $55
nonrefundable application fee. Since applicants for post-baccalaureate programs
may be limited to the choice of a single campus on each application, re-routing
to alternate campuses or later changes of campus choice are not guaranteed. To
be assured of initial consideration by more than one campus, it is necessary to
submit separate applications (including fees) to each. Applications submitted
by way of www.csumentor.edu are preferable. An electronic version of the CSU
graduate application is available on the World Wide Web at
http://www.csumentor.edu. Application forms may also be obtained from the
Office of Academic Programs or the Admissions Office of any
CaliforniaStateUniversity
campus.
Students receiving their bachelor’s degree from Dominguez Hills must submit a
graduate application.

Most departments require an additional application for
students seeking the master’s degree or a credential. Department application
forms should be requested directly from the academic unit offering the
particular program. Applicants should consult the program sections of this
catalog for specific program requirements and deadlines.

Students accepted for postbaccalaureate or graduate study must enroll in the University in the semester for which
application was made. Failure to enroll will result in cancellation of
admission. Transcripts will be retained for one year. Enrollment in a subsequent
semester will require a new application and fee.

Application Filing Periods

Terms Applications First
Accepted

Fall Semester October
1

Spring Semester August
1

Summer
SemesterFebruary 1

Filing Period Duration: Each campus accepts
applications until capacities are reached. If applying after the initial filing
period, contact the University Outreach and
InformationServicesCenter
for current
information.

Each graduate
program has its own application deadline. Some graduate programs accept
students only in the fall semester. Individual programs must be consulted for
deadline dates and admissions policies.

Graduate or Postbaccalaureate Transcript Requirements

Two official
copies of transcripts are required from each institution attended at which the last
60 semester (90 quarter) units of upper division course work were earned,
excluding extension units. Two copies from the institution awarding the
baccalaureate degree must be included.

All transcripts must be received directly from the
issuing institutions. All transcripts become the property of the University and
will not be released or copied. Processing of applications cannot be guaranteed
unless all required documents are received during the designated application
period. Persons who have transcripts sent but who do not enroll are advised
that transcripts are retained for one year, after which they are destroyed.

Any student who earned a bachelor’s degree at CSU
Dominguez Hills and subsequently applies for graduate or postbaccalaureate status at this institution is not required to request and pay for transcripts
from CSUDH. When the application for graduate or postbaccalaureate status is received, the Office of Admissions and Records will provide two
copies for the student’s file, one for evaluation and one for the graduate
department.

Additional copies of transcripts for other uses than
described above must be requested and paid for by the student according to
established procedure.

Test Requirements

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Aptitude Test
(verbal, quantitative and analytical) as well as GRE Advanced Tests in subject
areas and/or combined scores are required for some
programs. Applicants for admission to programs in Business Administration must
take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). Applicants to the graduate
programs in the
School
of
Education
who do not
possess the required GPA for admission may qualify by achieving a score of 40
or higher on the Miller Analogies Test. Some programs may require a higher
score. Students applying to Basic Credential programs must pass the CBEST prior
to admission.

Examination schedules and applications are available
from the Testing Office. It is the responsibility of the applicant to request
that test scores be mailed directly to CSU Dominguez Hills, Office of
Admissions and Records.

Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) Requirement

All graduate and
post-baccalaureate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose preparatory
education was principally in a language other than English must demonstrate
competence in English. Those who do not possess a bachelor’s degree from
a postsecondary institution where English is the principal language of
instruction must receive a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a
Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless the individual program requires a higher score.
Applicants taking the Computer-Based Test of English as a Foreign Language must
present a score of 213 or above unless the program requires a higher score.
Applicants taking the Internet-based (iBT) TOEFL must
present a score of 80 or above.

International Students (Foreign Visa Students)

The CSU must assess the academic preparation of
foreign students. For this purpose, “foreign students”include those who hold
U.S.
temporary
visas as students, exchange visitors, or in other nonimmigrant classifications.

The CSU uses separate requirements and application
filing dates in the admission of foreign students. Verification of English
proficiency (see the section on TOEFL Requirements for undergraduate
applicants), financial resources, and academic performance are each important
considerations for admission. Academic records from foreign institutions must
be on file at least eight weeks before registration for the first term and, if
not in English, must be accompanied by certified English translations.

Priority in admission is given to residents of
California
. There is
little likelihood of nonresident applicants, including international students,
being admitted either to impacted majors or to those majors or programs with
limited openings.

Foreign visa applicants are required to comply with
the following requirements and instructions:

1.Applicants
must file the application for admission accompanied by a nonrefundable
application fee. An application is for a specific term and is not transferable
to any other term. Because the evaluation of foreign credentials may take
considerable time, separate filing deadlines are in effect for applications
from foreign visa students.

2.Applicants
must submit a financial responsibility statement. The form is available from
the Office of Admissions and Records.

3.Applicants whose academic credentials are
from a country other than the
United
States
are required to submit a certified
English translation along with the academic records. Academic records include:
year-by-year records for each college or university attended indicating number
of lecture and laboratory hours a week for each course; grades received for
each subject; and, official documents indicating the awarding of degrees with
the title and date conferred. If photo copies are submitted rather than
original documents, they must bear the seal of the issuing institution and the
actual (not photographed) signature of the college or university registrar.
Admission of students who have not attended
U.S.
institutions is based upon demonstration of preparation equivalent to that
which is required of
California
residents. The Office of Admissions and Records has the final authority for
assessing the transferability of credit. All official documents submitted
become the property of the University and the acceptability of any foreign work
will be determined by the University.

Graduates of Nonaccredited Institutions

Although graduates of nonaccredited institutions are not eligible for postbaccalaureate standing, they may apply for admission as undergraduate students. Admission to
one of the postbaccalaureate categories may
subsequently be granted if the student:

2.obtains written approval of the graduate program coordinator
for provisional admission as an undergraduate;

3.completes
a minimum of 4 upper division courses (12 semester units) specified in advance
by the graduate program with a grade point average of at least 3.0 (these
courses may not count as unit credit toward the master’s degree); and

4.obtains written recommendation of the specific graduate
program coordinator and school dean for conditionally classified standing.

Upon completion of items 1-4, the student must
petition for conditionally classified status in a graduate degree program.

Special Admission Action

An applicant who does not qualify for admission under
the regular admission criteria may be admitted to a program by special action
if, upon the basis of acceptable evidence, the applicant is judged by the
specific program coordinator and school dean to possess sufficient academic and
professional potential pertinent to the educational objectives to merit such
action.

Cancellation of Admission

Admission to the University is for a specific
semester. Students who do not register for that semester will have their
admission cancelled. When seeking admission at a future date, students must
file a new application form, follow the complete application procedure, pay the
application fee, and meet the current admission requirements. Transcripts on
file will be retained for one year.

Reservation

The University reserves the right to select its
students and deny admission to the University or any of its programs as the
University, in its sole discretion, determines appropriate based on an
applicant’s suitability and the best interests of the University.

Readmission
of Former Students

1.Undergraduate
students who graduate from CSU Dominguez Hills and wish to continue as graduate
students must file a new graduate application for admission. The application
fee is required. Late applicants will be charged an additional late application
processing fee.

2.A
registration access mailer will not be released to scholastically disqualified
students following their most recent semester of attendance at CSU Dominguez
Hills.

3. Previously admitted graduate
students who have been absent for one semester or more, must apply for
readmission to the University and their program, unless approved for and
participating in the Planned Graduate Student Leave program as described in the
“Graduate Enrollment Policies” section of this catalog.

4.Students
who attend another college or university during an absence from CSU Dominguez
Hills must file an application for admission as a returning student and must
have official transcripts of work attempted sent to the Office of Admissions
and Records. A nonrefundable application fee is required. Students who use the Intrasystem Visitor Program do not have to file a new
application.

5.Returning students who have not maintained
continuing student status or been approved for Planned Graduate Student Leave
will lose their catalog rights and be subject to all requirements and
regulations in the catalog year they are readmitted.

Former Students in Good Standing

A student who left the University in good standing
may be readmitted provided any academic work attempted elsewhere does not
change his/her scholastic status. Transcripts of any work attempted in the
interim are required.

Graduate/Post-Baccalaureate
Admission Requirements

Following completion of application procedures and
subsequent review of the student’s eligibility by the Office of Admissions and
Records and the appropriate academic unit, the Office of Admissions and Records
will notify the student of the decision concerning admission. Academic
advisement prior to admission is tentative and cannot be construed as granting
official admission to a program or establishing requirements for the degree.

Graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants may apply
for a degree objective, a credential or certificate objective, or may have no
program objective. Depending on the objective, the CSU will consider an
application for admission as follows:

General Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission to graduate
and post baccalaureate studies at a
CaliforniaStateUniversity
campus are in accordance with university regulations as well as Title 5,
Chapter 1, Subchapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations. Specifically, a
student shall at the time of enrollment:

1.Have
completed a four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaureate
degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or
shall have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by
appropriate campus authorities;

2.Be in good academic standing at the last college or university
attended;

3.Have
attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 (A=4.0) in the last 60 semester
(90 quarter) units attempted; and

4.Satisfactorily
meet the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards for graduate
study, including qualifying examinations, as appropriate campus authorities may
prescribe.

In usual circumstances, a campus may make exceptions
to these criteria.

Students who meet the minimum requirements for
graduate and post-baccalaureate studies may be considered for admission in one
of the four following categories:

Graduate Standing: Classified

Students applying for master’s degree programs may
be admitted in classified status if they meet all program admission requirements.
To pursue a graduate degree, applicants are required to fulfill all of the professional, person, scholastic, and other standards,
including qualifying examinations, prescribed by the campus.

Classified standing
as a graduate student is granted by the academic unit to which the student is
applying. Classified standing is normally granted when all prerequisites have
been satisfactorily completed for admission to a master’s degree program. Students
must have classified standing to qualify for Advancement to Candidacy.

Graduate Standing: Conditionally Classified

To qualify for admission with a graduate degree
objective, students must meet the admission requirements for postbaccalaureate standing as well as any additional
requirements of the particular program. Students who apply to a graduate degree
program but who do not satisfy all program requirements may be admitted to
conditionally classified status. Program coordinators will outline all
conditions for attainment of classified status. Applicants may be admitted to a
graduate degree program in this category if, in the opinion of appropriate
campus authority, deficiencies may be remedied by additional preparation.

Postbaccalaureate Admissions

Students may apply for credential or certificate
programs. Graduate standing is for students accepted into a master’s degree program.
All other students, those in credential or certificate programs must meet
minimum requirements.

Postbaccalaureate Standing:
Classified

Students who qualify for admission to a credential
or certificate program are admitted as classified postbaccalaureate students. Admission in this category does not constitute admission to or
assurance of consideration for admission to any graduate degree program.
Persons wishing to enroll in a credential or certificate program will be
required to satisfy additional professional, personal, scholastic, and other
standards, including qualifying examinations, prescribed by the campus.

Postbaccalaureate Standing:
Unclassified

To enroll in graduate courses for professional or
personal growth, applicants must be admitted as post-baccalaureate unclassified
students. By meeting the general requirements, applicants are eligible for
admission as post-baccalaureate unclassified students. Some departments may
restrict enrollment of unclassified students because of heavy enrollment
pressure. Admission to this status does not constitute admission to, or assurance of consideration for admission to, any
graduate or credential program.

Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Advisement

Classified postbaccalaureate students in credential or certificate programs and second bachelor’s degree
students should be advised by the program coordinator or department chair.

New unclassified (undeclared) postbaccalaureate students should call the Graduate Studies Office regarding advisement. To
assist in their initial advisement and course selection, newly admitted
students should bring a personal copy of their college transcripts.
Unclassified postbaccalaureate students wanting to
enroll in graduate level courses must have the approval of the graduate program
coordinator of their chosen course.

Credit for Transfer Graduate Work

In order to have courses considered for receipt of
credit toward a degree for postbaccalaureate work
taken at other colleges or universities, students must have official
transcripts forwarded to the Office of Admissions and Records. The University
will consider credit for work taken at another college or university only when
it appears on an official transcript from that institution. A maximum of nine
semester units of approved credit may be transferred from an accredited college
or university for a 30-unit program. Programs with a unit requirement that
exceeds 30 units may allow more than 9 units, but may not exceed 30% of the total
units for the degree. Rounding up is not permitted. All approval of previous
course work is at the discretion of the Program Coordinator, depending upon its
currency and its applicability to the degree objectives

The work must have been completed as a graduate
student (not including student teaching), and must be relevant to the degree
program as a whole.

Extension courses may apply (and will be included as
part of the maximum of nine units allowable) if the transcript clearly indicates
that the course would have applied toward a graduate degree at the sponsoring
institution. Extension courses at the graduate level (500 level series if from
CSU Dominguez Hills) may apply.

The formal request for transfer of graduate credit
must be completed and approved by the graduate advisor and submitted to the
Office of Admissions and Records for final review.

Transferred courses are subject to the regulation that
courses for the master’s degree must be completed within the five- or
seven-year period at the term of graduation, as stipulated by the graduate
program. Outdated transfer course work from other colleges or universities is
not eligible for validation.

Second Master’s Degree

Students may wish to pursue a second master’s
degree. If they are still enrolled in the first program, they may complete the
Request for Postbaccalaureate/Graduate Change of
Objective form in the Office of Academic Programs. The form will be forwarded
to the program coordinator for approval. Students must be careful to monitor
their time in the first program in relation to the second as the 5-7 year time
limit will apply to both programs beginning at the time of acceptance into each
individual program. A student enrolled in two master’s programs must graduate
from both during the same term. If the student chooses to graduate from one before
the other they must reapply to the University and be accepted back into the
second program. Units used for the first degree may not be applied to the
second.

Second Option or
Concentration Within a Degree Program

Some degree programs offer options which differ
significantly in academic course work and prepare students for singularly different
careers. Students wishing to complete a second concentration or option in the
same degree program at CSU Dominguez Hills may do so by completing the Request
for Postbaccalaureate/Graduate Change of Objective
form following the procedure stated under the second master’s degree above.
Students must meet all requirements for the new option or concentration. All
university policies governing master’s degrees apply in the same manner to the
second option or concentration.

All university policies governing master’s degrees
apply in the same manner to the second option or concentration. No units
completed prior to acceptance in the second option or concentration can be used
to meet the 21 unit requirement.

Health Screening

The CSU has the following requirements for certain
groups of students:

·
All new and readmitted former students born
after January 1, 1957 are required to present proof of measles and rubella
immunizations prior to enrollment. These are not admission requirements, but
shall be required of students as conditions of enrollment of CSU or be required
for certain groups of enrolled students who have increased exposure to these diseases.
Proof of immunization must be taken to the
StudentHealthCenter
in person. Mailed
forms cannot be accepted. Students who are unable to provide proof prior to
enrollment may be enrolled with the condition that they provide proof of full
immunization against measles and rubella no later than the beginning of the
second year of enrollment. Students who have not complied by this time will be
not be allowed to enroll. The
StudentHealthCenter
can provide
measles/rubella immunizations without cost to those students unable to obtain
acceptable proof of immunizations.

·
All new students who are eighteen years of age
or younger are required to present proof of immunization against Hepatitis B
prior to their first enrollment. Each incoming freshman who will be residing in
on-campus housing will be required to return a form indicating that they have
received information about meningococcal disease and the availability of the
vaccine to prevent one from contracting the disease and whether or not he or
she has chosen to receive the vaccination. These are not admission
requirements, but shall be required of students as conditions of enrollment in
CSU. Proof of immunization must be taken to the
StudentHealthCenter
in person. Mailed
forms cannot be accepted. Students who are unable to present proof prior to
their first enrollment may be enrolled on the condition that they provide proof
of full immunization against Hepatitis B no later than the beginning of the
second year of enrollment. Students who have not complied by this time will not
be allowed to enroll. The
StudentHealthCenter
can provide the series of three Hepatitis B immunizations without cost to those
students unable to obtain acceptable proof of immunization.

Students who have questions
about the immunization requirements, or who need to discuss an exemption from
the requirements based on medical considerations or religious or personal
beliefs, should contact the
StudentHealthCenter
at (310) 243-3629.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

Students seeking a second or additional
baccalaureate degree must satisfy all requirements for the degree. However, as
post baccalaureate students, they are also subject to additional requirements.

To be eligible for admission as a Second Baccalaureate
degree candidate, students must:

1.hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; and

2.have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 in their last 60
semester units (or 90 quarter units).

Degree Requirements:

·
Students may elect a regular major or a single
field major.

·
No minor is required.

·
Students must satisfy all requirements for the
degree, including any General Education requirements not previously met.

·
Students must meet all statutory requirements.

·
Students must pass the Graduation Writing
Assessment Requirement.

·
Students are not eligible for honors.

·
Courses taken as part of a second baccalaureate
degree cannot apply to graduate work except as allowed for in the “Enrollment
in Graduate Courses by Seniors”policy explained elsewhere in this
catalog.

In addition, students must:

·
complete requirements in a discipline other than
that which a previous degree was earned; units from the first degree may not be
counted; specific courses may be waived and other courses substituted;

·
receive program approval; requirements must be
agreed upon in writing by the department chairperson and kept on file in the
department office before 14 units are completed;

·
complete a minimum of 30 units in residence,
including 24 units in upper division courses, which include 12 units in the
major;

·maintain at least a
2.50 grade point average in all courses taken for the degree to remain in good
academic standing.

Change of Student Objective
Graduate or Postbaccalaureate Status

A student who has been admitted into any of the
previously cited postbaccalaureate categories and who
wants to change programs must be formally admitted into the new program. The
student must file a Request for Postbaccalaureate/Graduate
Change of Objective form with the Graduate Studies Office.

Former Students on Probation

A student on probation at the close of the last
semester of enrollment may be readmitted on probation provided he/she is otherwise
eligible. The student must have official transcripts of any college work
attempted during his/her absence sent to the University.

Graduate Academic Standards

Grade Point Average

The grade point average at CSU Dominguez Hills is
computed on a 4-point scale. A specified number of grade points is associated with each grade listed in the “Grades and
Grade Points” section. “CR/NC” grades have no grade point value and are not calculated
in the grade point average.

The total grade points are calculated by multiplying
the number of grade points associated with the grade assigned by the number of
units for each class. The grade point average is computed by dividing the total
number of grade points earned by the total number of units attempted.

Master’s Degree Students. To
remain in good academic standing, a “B” (3.0) average is required in the
master’s degree program and for all courses (related and unrelated; lower
division, upper division, and graduate) taken as a postbaccalaureate student. See “Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Academic
Probation and Disqualification” for specific grade point averages required for
ongoing enrollment.

For graduation, the grade point average of 3.0 is
calculated on all courses taken beginning with admission to the program. No
course with a grade lower than a “C”will be applied to the degree program.
In addition, students must also have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in
all courses used to fulfill degree requirements. No student on academic
probation may be granted a master’s degree.

Second Bachelor’s Degree Students. See University Regulations section.

Classified Postbaccalaureate Students. A grade point average of 2.5 is required for coursework taken
by students in classified postbaccalaureate status.
See “Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Academic
Probation and Disqualification”for specific requirements.

Prerequisites

The grade point average required in prerequisite
courses varies according to the particular program. See specific program requirements
in the program sections of this catalog.

Insurance Requirement

Effective August 1, 1995, as a condition of
receiving an I-20 or IAP form, all F-1 and J-1 visa applicants must agree to
obtain and maintain health insurance as a condition of registration and
continued enrollment in the
CaliforniaStateUniversity
.
Such insurance must be in amounts as specified by the United States Information
Agency (USIA) and NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Further
information may be obtained from the International Student Services office, WH
B-375, (310) 243-4215.

Scholastic Probation and
Disqualification

Administrative-Academic Probation

A graduate student may be placed on
administrative-academic probation by action of appropriate campus officials for
any of the following reasons:

1.withdrawal from all or a substantial portion of a program of
study in two successive terms or in any three terms.

2.repeated
failure to progress toward the stated degree objective or other program
objective (when such failure appears to be due to circumstances within the
control of the student).

3.failure to comply, after due notice, with an academic
requirement or regulation, which is routine for all students or for a defined
group of students (example: failure to take placement tests, failure to
complete a required practicum, failure to satisfy GWAR).

When such action is taken, the student shall be
notified in writing and shall be provided with the conditions for removal from
probation and the circumstances that would lead to disqualification, should
probation not be removed.

Administrative-Academic Disqualification

A student who has been placed on
administrative-academic probation may be disqualified from further attendance
if:

1.the conditions for removal of administrative-academic probation are not met within
the period specified.

3.the student becomes subject to administrative-academic probation for the same or
similar reason for which he/she has been placed on administrative-academic
probation previously, although not currently in such status.

When such action is taken, the student shall receive
written notification including an explanation of the basis for the action.

Academic Probation and Disqualification

Academic probation and disqualification regulations
differentiate between students enrolled in a graduate program and those enrolled
in classified postbaccalaureate status.

1. Conditionally
classified and classified graduate students and graduate credential students
are placed on scholastic probation if they fail to maintain a cumulative grade
point average of 3.0 in all postbaccalaureate units
attempted. If they do not bring their grade point average up to 3.0 in the
following semester in residence, they are subject to disqualification from the
program in which they are enrolled.

2.Students who have been
disqualified from a master’s degree program may be admitted to another degree
program only on the recommendation of the department concerned and with the
approval of the appropriate school dean.

3.Classified postbaccalaureate students are placed on scholastic
probation if their grade point average falls below 2.5. If they do not bring
the grade point average up to 2.5 in
the following semester in residence, they are disqualified from pursuing work
at the University.

4.Students disqualified for scholarship deficiency may not enroll in
any regular session of the campus without permission from the appropriate
school dean and may be denied admission to other educational programs operated or
sponsored by the campus.

5.Students attempting a
second baccalaureate degree are subject
to the same probation and disqualification standards as seniors.

Reinstatement of Formerly Disqualified Students

The readmission of a previously disqualified student
is by special action only.

1.Students must submit a
Petition for Reinstatement, available in the Office of Graduate Studies.

2.The University will
not consider a student for reinstatement until the student has not attended for
one semester.

3.Requests for
reinstatement must include a letter which explains in detail how the causes of
low achievement have been corrected and what plans are in place to insure
future academic success.

4.In every instance,
readmission is based in part upon evidence that the causes of previous low
achievement have been removed, with due evaluation of the impact of any medical
condition on previous unsatisfactory academic performance. The evidence
includes transcripts of work completed subsequent to disqualification and other
objective evidence, including medical testimony.

5.Disqualified postbaccalaureate and graduate students may complete
courses through CSUDH Open University or at other academic institutions; all
such classes must be applicable for degree credit.

6.Grades earned at other
institutions will not reduce the CSUDH grade-point deficiency or change the
CSUDH grade-point average; grades earned elsewhere are only indicators of
academic ability.

7.Furthermore,
subsequent removal of grade-point average deficiencies by enrolling through
CSUDH Open University or at another institution does not guarantee readmission
to a CSUDH graduate or postbaccalaureate program.

8.No CSUDH Open
University units may be counted towards University residency requirements.

After demonstrating academic ability at CSUDH Open
University and/or other institutions, the student may file a request for reinstatement.
Formerly disqualified postbaccalaureate and graduate
students who are interested in being reinstated should contact the Office of
Graduate Studies (310-243-3693) for information regarding the process to
request reinstatement.

Postbaccalaureate and graduate students are restricted to a
maximum of one reinstatement after disqualification.

Decisions regarding reinstatement of postbaccalaureate and graduate students will be made by the
Office of Graduate Studies and the program offering the degree program.

Requirements for
the Master’s Degree

To be granted the master’s degree, a student must
have been classified, advanced to candidacy, and completed an approved program
of study in an approved field. Requirements which apply to all programs follow.
For specific requirements of particular programs, see the program descriptions
in the departmental section of this catalog.

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

All students subject to degree requirements in the
1979-80 and subsequent catalogs must demonstrate competency in writing skills
as a requirement for graduation. Students can fulfill the requirement by
completing a writing examination (GWE), a designated certifying English
Composition course, or two Writing Adjunct courses.

Students who do not
satisfy Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) by the completion of 9
units will receive an advising hold on their registration and must be in
contact with a University Advisement Center (UAC) advisor to map out a
strategy, including a signed contract (which can be sent through the mail), to
meet the requirement before their hold will be lifted. Only UAC (310-243-3538)
can lift this hold. This requirement must be met before students can begin
their final projects (thesis or comprehensive exams). The GWAR may be met
through one of the following options:

1.A score of 8 or higher
on the Graduation Writing Examination (GWE) See description of GWE in
Undergraduate Graduation Writing Assessment section.

2. A grade of B or higher
in English 350. See description of English 350 in Undergraduate Graduation
Writing Assessment section.

3. Written acknowledgment
from the instructor of IDS 397 and IDS 398 that performance in coursework was
commensurate with a grade of B. See description of IDS 397/398 in Undergraduate
Graduation Writing Assessment section.

4. An earned degree from one
of the CSU campuses (other than CSUDH) with the GWAR having been satisfied in
1984 or later at the previous CSU campus.

5. A grade of B or higher
in an accepted upper division composition course from another university.
Students who have taken the equivalent of our Advanced Composition course, ENG
350, may request a review of its equivalency. Students must complete a Petition
for GWE Exemption at the Testing Office, attaching a copy of an official
transcript and the catalog description of the pertinent coursework Lower
division writing courses (e.g. Freshman English), literature courses and
specialized courses in business, technical, report, or creative writing, among
other courses, are not acceptable. Only the GWAR Coordinator is authorized to
decide whether coursework done elsewhere satisfies the CSUDH writing
requirement.

6.For graduate students in English Literature, satisfactory performance on the
Graduate Exercise administered by the English Department.

7.For graduate students in the MBA program, a score of 4.0 or higher on the
Analytical Writing Analysis of the GMAT.

8.For students in the
Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding program, a grade of “B”or better in NCR 500.

9. A score of 4.0 or
higher on the Analytical Writing section of the GRE.

Note: Candidates enrolled to receive Teaching Credentials and not
seeking a master’s degree are not required to satisfy the GWAR at this time.

Departments and programs may, at their discretion,
establish additional writing requirements for their graduate students. Some
programs require the satisfaction of GWAR as a condition of admission. For
further information, students should consult their program advisor or the
Office of Graduate Studies.

Approved Program of Study

General requirements for the master’s degree program
of study include:

1.A minimum of 30
approved semester units, or more, as required by the particular program.

2.A minimum of 21 semester units in residence after admission to the
program offering the degree. Transfer and CSUDH extension course work are not
considered to be in residence.

3.Maintaining continuous
enrollment until graduation.

4.Upper division and
graduate level courses only. The inclusion of 300-level course work is
generally discouraged and cannot be used unless specifically approved as part
of a program by the University Curriculum Committee.

5. Not less than 70% of
the total units in graduate (500 level) courses.

6.Not more than nine semester units of 500 level courses taken prior
to admission to conditionally classified or classified status.

7.Not more than six units
for a thesis or project.

8.A maximum of six units
of independent study.

9.No courses taken to
satisfy prerequisite requirements included in the minimum of 30 units.

10.A minimum grade point
average of 3.0 (B) in all courses attempted to satisfy requirements for the
degree.

11.All courses completed
within five years of the date of award of the degree or satisfactorily
validated. (Some programs have a seven-year limit. Check with the particular
program.)

12.All courses taken
after the baccalaureate degree (or post baccalaureate credit granted) and not
credited toward another degree.

16. A capstone activity,
which may be a thesis, a project, a comprehensive examination, or any
combination of these.

The approved program of study is valid as long as the
student maintains continuous enrollment in regular semesters at the University.
Students who do not maintain continuous attendance must reapply to the
University and program and meet any changed or additional requirements approved
in the interim.

Election of Curriculum (Catalog Rights)

A student maintaining continuous attendance in
regular or special sessions and continuing in the same program may elect to
meet the degree requirements in effect either at the time of entering the
program or at the time of completion of degree requirements, except that
substitution for discontinued courses may be approved by the graduate program
advisor.

Credit by Examination

No graduate student may receive credit by
examination in a course used to satisfy the requirements for the master’s
degree.

Advisors and Program Faculty

University policy provides that each student’s
program for the master’s degree shall be under the guidance of an advisor and
the program faculty. All master’s degree programs have a Graduate Coordinator
designated to give overall supervision for the graduate program. In many
instances, the Graduate Coordinator also serves as the student’s advisor. The
program faculty are responsible for all major
recommendations to the Dean of Graduate Studies regarding the student’s
achievement of classified standing, Advancement to Candidacy, and completion of
the master’s degree.

It is the responsibility of the student to arrange
appointments for advisement and other information in the office of the academic
unit offering the degree program. At a minimum, students should obtain
advisement at the following critical times in their academic program: (1) prior
to or during the first semester; (2) at the time of achieving Classified
Standing; (3) at the time of Advancement to Candidacy.

It is the student’s responsibility to follow the
procedures as outlined in this catalog to ensure timely progress toward the
degree and to ensure compliance in all policies and regulations pertaining to
the granting of the master’s degree.

Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement to Candidacy recognizes that the student
has demonstrated the ability to sustain a level of scholarly competency
commensurate with successful completion of degree requirements. Upon
Advancement to Candidacy, the student is cleared for the final stages of the
graduate program which, in addition to any remaining course work, will include
the thesis, project, or comprehensive examination.

Following are the requirements for Advancement to
Candidacy:

1.A minimum of 15
resident units

2.Classified Standing

3.An Approved Program of
Study

4.Successful completion
of the GWAR

5.A cumulative GPA of 3.0
in all courses taken as a postbaccalaureate student

6.No grade lower than a
“C”in the
degree program

Advancement to Candidacy
must be certified by the department on the Advisement and Advancement to
Candidacy form or program specific forms that include this information to the
Office of Academic Programs prior to the final semester, prior to the semester
of the comprehensive exams, and prior to enrolling in thesis or project.

Completion of
Requirements and Award of the Degree

The degree is awarded upon the satisfactory
completion of all state and university requirements, the specific requirements
for the particular program, the recommendation of the appropriate graduate
advisor and program coordinator (Advancement to Candidacy), and the approval of
the faculty and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Thesis

If a thesis or project is required, the student must
follow all procedures and adhere to all deadline dates specified in the “Thesis
and Project Guide,” available in the university bookstore and at the Graduate
Studies website.

Graduate students may enroll in the thesis course for a
maximum of six units. No further enrollments are allowed. The credit allowed
for the thesis varies and students should see graduate program descriptions for
specific information.

Time Limit for Completion

All requirements for the master’s degree, including
all course work on the student’s approved program of study must be completed
within five years (some programs permit seven years). This time limit commences
with the semester of the earliest course used on the student’s program of
study.

Outdated Course Work

Outdated course work (course work older than the
student’s approved time limit) must be repeated or validated. Validation of all
course work that exceeds seven years must be approved by the Dean of Graduate
Studies or his or her designee and shall not exceed 25% of the units required
for the master’s degree (e.g. 8 units for a 30 unit program). Only course work
that exceeds the seven-year limit by no more than one academic year (two
semesters) is eligible for validation. Outdated transfer course work from other
colleges or universities is not eligible for validation. Copies of the Petition
for Validation of Outdated Course Work may be obtained from the Graduate
Studies Office.

Application for Graduation

Upon completion of the CSU Dominguez Hills graduation
requirements, award of the graduate degree must be approved by the program, the
school dean, and the faculty of the University.

Master’s degree candidates should file for graduation
in accordance with the following schedule:

GraduationApplication FilingAdvisement
Term:Period:Form
Deadline:

SpringNovember 15December
1

SummerMarch 15April 1

FallMay 15 April 1

Please note that if the above dates should fall on a
weekend or holiday, the deadline will be at the close of business on the previous
working day.

A copy of the student’s program for the master’s
degree must be sent by the department to the Office of Admissions and Records
(Graduation Unit) so that a master’s degree check may be prepared. Failure to
do so will result in a delay in receiving a degree check.

If all degree requirements are not completed during
the term of the application, a Change of Graduation Date form must be filed
giving the new term of degree completion together with the appropriate fee.

Graduate Commencement Exercises

The Graduate
Commencement Exercise is held annually at the end of the spring semester.
Students who have completed degree requirements the previous summer and fall
term are eligible to participate in the ceremony along with those who plan to
complete their work in the spring. Degree candidates wishing to participate in
the spring Graduate Commencement Exercises must file the appropriate forms with
the Office of Ceremonies and Events no later than March 31 for the Graduate
Commencement Exercises held in May. If the deadline date should fall on a
weekend or holiday, the deadline will be at the close of business on the
previous working day. An information bulletin about commencement activities is
mailed to the home address of those eligible to participate early in the
spring. Commencement Participation Forms are available on the campus website.

During Commencement Exercises each candidate receives
a certificate of participation. The actual diploma is sent later, after
verification of completed requirements.

Graduate Enrollment Policies

Residency Requirement

Of the minimum 30 semester units of approved course
work required for the master’s degree, not less than 21 units must be completed
in residence at this institution. A student is considered to be in residence
when he or she has been admitted to the university and to the master’s program
and is registered in regular or special sessions courses at this university.
Approved units earned in summer sessions may be substituted for regular
semester unit requirements on a unit for unit basis. Extension course work may
not be used to fulfill the minimum residence requirement.

Full-Time Status

Graduate students are considered to be full-time students
during any semester in which they are enrolled in at least eight units of
graduate program courses.

Continuous Attendance Requirement

A student with a graduate degree objective must
maintain continuous attendance, defined as attendance in regular session each
fall and spring semester of the college year. Students who have completed the
maximum number of units required for the degree but are completing their
culminating activity may enroll in regular university courses or in a
specifically designated 600-level course. Students must have program permission
to enroll in the 600 level course. If they chose to
enroll in regular university courses, students must continue to maintain a
grade point average of 3.0 in all courses taken until the degree is granted.

Graduate students who fail to maintain continuous
attendance interrupt their residency and must reapply to the university; they
are subject to any new requirements of the university or program. Students who
break continuous attendance are not guaranteed readmission to the program, and
if readmitted, lose their residency credit (courses they may apply to the
degree), and their catalog rights. Loss of residency units means there is no
guarantee that more than 9 units of previous course work may apply to the degree
requirements upon readmission to the program.

Students who break continuous enrollment may petition
to the Dean of Graduate Studies for reinstatement of residency units. Serious
and compelling reasons for breaking enrollment must be demonstrated. If the
petition is denied by the Graduate Dean, the student may request a hearing from
the Graduate Council.

Planned Graduate Student Leave

It is a university requirement that graduate
students maintain continuous attendance throughout the course of their study
for the master’s degree. Any graduate student in good academic standing may
request a Planned Graduate Student Leave. Reasons for seeking a leave are
likely to be varied, but all applicants should intend to return to formal study
within a specified time period.

To apply for a Planned Graduate Student Leaves, the
student must be a conditionally classified or classified graduate student with
a grade point average of 3.0 or better. Application for the leave must be filed
with the appropriate graduate coordinator before the first day of classes for
the semester during which the leave is to begin, and should be accompanied by
appropriate documentation.

The minimum initial leave will be one full term; the
maximum will be one calendar year. Under compelling circumstances, a student
may request, in writing and in advance, an extension of the leave. The total
number of approved Planned Graduate Student Leaves may not exceed two, and the
duration of Planned Graduate Student Leaves may not total more than two calendar
years.

The Planned Graduate Student Leave is approved at the
discretion of the student’s graduate coordinator. The graduate coordinator may
require periodic reports from the student.

Students who plan to enroll for credit at another
institution of higher education during the leave period must obtain prior
approval for the transfer of course credit to the program from the graduate
coordinator.

Approval of the leave does not constitute an extension
of the time period for completing all course work and other requirements for
the master’s degree.

Approval of the student’s leave application
constitutes agreement by the university that the student will be temporarily
exempted from the continuous attendance requirement as long as the student
meets the conditions specified in the approved leave application. Students who
do not return to the university at the conclusion of their planned leave will
be considered to have withdrawn from the university at the end of their last
semester of regular enrollment at CSU Dominguez Hills.

Applications are available from the Graduate Program
Coordinator and the Office of Academic Programs and upon completion are
submitted to the Registrar in the Office of Admissions and Records.

Students meeting all conditions of the approved leave
shall be required to submit an application for readmission on returning from
Planned Graduate Student Leave, but shall not be required to pay another
application fee.

A student on Planned Graduate Student Leave shall be
expected to devote his/her leave period to off-campus activities. The student
shall be classified as “on leave”and shall not be considered a
regularly enrolled student. Therefore, the student is not entitled to the
campus services normally provided to enrolled students, except that the student
may confer with his/her academic advisor and others regarding leave activity
and plans for re-enrollment.

A student shall be guaranteed reentry and retention of
registration priority if all conditions of the approved leave have been met at
the conclusion of his/her Planned Graduate Student Leave. Every effort shall be
made to facilitate and simplify the return. For purposes of election of
graduation requirements, the approved leave shall not constitute an
interruption of attendance provided the student registers in the same major.
Students who fail to resume studies at the prearranged time shall forfeit the
advantages of the Planned Graduate Student Leave Program.

Each student enrolled in the program will have an
entry made
on his/her permanent record indicating that the student is on leave. The dates
of the beginning and conclusion of the leave also will be recorded.

Students must obtain prior approval of the Office of
Admissions and Records to enroll for credit at another institution of higher
education. Any credit earned will be treated as transfer credit to be evaluated
and entered in student records in the customary manner.

Any student on planned leave who does not comply with
all provisions of this policy and the conditions of the leave is subject
to forfeiture of the advantages of this program.

Enrollment in Graduate
Courses by Seniors

Students in their
senior year may petition to take two courses
that are not used to fulfill requirements for the bachelor’s degree. Approval must
be obtained from the appropriate graduate program coordinator prior to
registration in order to receive graduate credit for courses taken in the
senior year. Petitions are available in the Office of Admissions and Records
and in the Office of Academic Programs.

Culminating Experience

All master’s degree programs require a culminating
experience.
This experience may be a thesis, project or comprehensive exam. A few
professional programs require the portfolio. The portfolio can include elements
of the thesis and comprehensive exam and requires extensive graduate-level
writing incorporating original thoughts and ideas concerning areas important to
the discipline. The thesis, project, comprehensive exam and portfolio should
include a oral component The portfolio is program
specific and details about this culminating experience are available from the
program coordinators.

Preparation and Submission of Theses or Projects

All graduate students who undertake a project or
thesis as their culminating experience for the master’s degree must use the CSU
Dominguez Hills “Thesis and Project Guide,” available in the bookstore,
library, or on-line. The information below represents only excerpted highlights
from the complete “Thesis and Project Guide.”

Required Format

1.Students must file the
“Notification of Committee Composition and Eligibility Form”to the Office of Academic Programs,
prior to commencing work on a thesis or project.

2.The thesis or project
report must be submitted in its entirety first to the Thesis Committee and then
to the thesis officer for final approval. Projects will normally be accompanied
by a report that must be written in thesis format. An original copy of a
project (which might be a film, cassette, compact disk, etc.) must be submitted
for housing in the library. Exceptions for financial hardship may be granted,
and the library will accept a copy rather than an original in these occasional
cases.

3.The thesis or project
report must contain an abstract of no more than 150 words. This abstract will
be published by University Microfilms in the journal, Master’s Abstracts.

4.Specifications for margins and for quality of paper are outlined
in detail in the “Thesis and Project Guide”noted above.

5.Quality of typing is
important. Typographical errors, misspelled words and awkward sentence
construction are among the items for which the thesis officer will require
revision and retyping. The officer will also note any margin violations or
other violations of format as explained in the “Thesis and Project Guide.” In
general, the use of word processing programs is acceptable. A letter quality
printer is necessary for the final paper. Students should provide a sample of
the print and paper to the thesis officer before final submission.

6.A thesis or project
should be written in a formal, scholarly manner. A style manual will be used by
the student, but the Thesis Committee normally decides upon the specific manual
(i.e.
Campbell
, Turabian, A.P.A. Publication Manual, M.L.A. Style
Sheet, etc.). The thesis officer will review the paper for possible violations
of style manual rules and make revision suggestions.

7.The thesis officer may
be consulted at any time about matters concerning format.

8.Theses and projects
that are not in compliance with University requirements, the “Thesis and
Project Guide,”and the approved style manual will be returned and may not be eligible for approval
in the semester submitted.

Required Approval

The thesis must
be in final manuscript form and thoroughly edited when submitted to the Office
of Academic Programs. The student is required to obtain approval of the content
from the faculty committee. The approval page must be printed on the same bond
paper used for the thesis, and the faculty committee members must sign in black
ink. By their signatures, the faculty committee members are certifying the
academic soundness of the work and verifying that it meets the academic
standards of the degree sought. The Office of Academic Programs, Graduate
Studies, will approve the thesis or project for typing, standard English form, stylistic format, organization and completeness, and will ensure
that it meets the scholastic requirement of the University. The thesis grade
will be transmitted by the faculty committee chair to the Registrar; however,
the requirements for the degree are not fulfilled until the original has been
received and approved by Graduate Studies and the Library Dean’s Office, and
all fees have been paid. The Dean of Graduate Studies has the responsibility
for final approval of all theses and projects.

Procedures for Submission

After the committee-approved thesis or project
report has been submitted to the thesis officer for final approval and
suggested revisions have been completed, the library will require an original
copy of the thesis or project report.

Deadlines for Submission

All thesis and projects must be submitted to the
Office of Graduate Studies no later than November 1, for fall graduation,
April 1 for spring graduation and June 10 for summer graduation. Humanities
External Degree (HUX) students must meet earlier deadlines of October 10 and
March 10 for submission of their
thesis or project for fall and spring graduation.

An oral defense of the thesis or project should be
part of the culminating activity.

Comprehensive Exams

A comprehensive examination is an assessment of the
student’s ability to integrate the knowledge of the area, show critical and
independent thinking, and demonstrate mastery of the subject matter. The comprehensive
examination is equivalent in rigor to the thesis. A record of the examination
questions and responses shall be maintained in accordance with the records
retention policy of the
CaliforniaStateUniversity
.

All comprehensive exams must:

1.assess the student’s ability to integrate the knowledge of the area;

2.evidence critical and independent thinking;

3.demonstrate the mastery of the subject matter; and

4.demonstrate writing skills commensurate with the granting of the master’s degree.

The results of the comprehensive examination evidence:

5.independent thinking;

6.appropriate organization;

7.critical analysis;

8.accuracy of documentation; and

9.advanced writing skills.

Given the above criteria, all comprehensive exams must
include an essay portion which comprises not less than 50% of the examination.

In the case where comprehensive exams are divided into
separate components, such as by course or topic, each program shall inform
students in writing as to how each section will be graded and what the retake
policy will be for the exam.

Eligibility to Take the
Comprehensive Exam

Students must have met all requirements for
Advancement to Candidacy as specified in the CSUDH Catalog:

1.Students must be in
good academic standing, defined as a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for
all post baccalaureate work, whether part of the degree program or not.

2.For 30-36 unit
master’s degrees, all course work must either be completed or concurrent in the
semester the exam is taken. Students completing course work in the summer
session are not eligible to take the comprehensive exam in the spring semester.

3.For master’s degrees
which require more than 36 units, students may take the exam one semester prior
to completion of the program provided a substantial amount of course work has
been completed. Each program will establish uniform requirements for
eligibility to take the exam and shall make these requirements available to
students in writing. A copy of the requirements shall be sent to the Office of
Graduate Studies.

4.Student’s eligibility
to take the examination must be verified by the Graduate Coordinator.

Administration of the Exam

5.All comprehensive
exams must be proctored. When proctoring is deemed not feasible, as in the case
of some distance learning programs, either a thesis or the project shall be the
culminating experience of choice.

6.Comprehensive exams
should be administered at the completion of all course work except as noted
above for degree programs which exceed 36 units. (See section on eligibility.)

7.Students who fail the exam and must retake it, will take the exam at a regularly scheduled session
(e.g., the following semester).

8.Students who retake
the exam shall take the exam in the current format, regardless of the format of
the original exam.

9.Comprehensive exams
shall not be administered prior to the six weeks preceding the last day of scheduled final exams in the fall or spring semesters.

Length of the Exam

The written portion
of the comprehensive exam shall not be less than four hours. Additionally, an
oral defense should also be part of the culminating experience.

Scoring of the Exam

1.Each exam will be
scored by no less than two readers. If two readers read the exam and disagree
on the pass/fail score or grade, a third reader shall read the exam under the
same blind conditions prescribed for the original reading.

2.Each reading will be
blind, and readers’ identity will not be revealed to students.

The above is a portion of the complete policy. A complete
copy may be obtained from the Office of Academic Programs and Graduate Studies,
WH A-340, (310) 243-3693.